"DataSpider Servista 4.2" Developer x Customer Interview: Part 2
Aiming to be the best in the world together with our users!!

The development team's passion for ataSpider

Last time, Akio Hayata of Yokogawa Rental & Lease talked about how "enjoyment brings out teamwork and creativity" after introducing DataSpider. In this interview, he spoke with Masahito Ito, leader of the Quality Management Department, and Shunsuke Nomura, leader of the Development Department, who are involved in the development of DataSpider.

The conversation focused on the thoughts that the DataSpider development team has put into DataSpider and how Hayata views it from a user's perspective.

"Looks plain at first glance," but pursues a thorough user perspective

Nomura
Additionally, various configuration information for environment migration can now be listed and exported, allowing you to check the configuration information to be migrated before applying it to the production environment.

Hayata-san
These may seem like unimpressive features at first glance, but I think they are very helpful and welcome features in terms of operation.

Nomura
As we move forward with development, we are also mindful of "customer feedback." I'm sure you also shared your thoughts with us, Mr. Hayata.

Hayata-san
"Operation" is something that you don't know when you're considering implementation, and you might only understand it once you've actually started using it. "Change settings without stopping the server" is a feature that makes on-site operations staff say, "Wow, this is great!" I felt that the development was done with our perspective in mind.

Ito
I'm very happy to hear people say things like Hayata-san.

Hayata-san
The DataSpider development team listens sincerely to opinions such as "I want this kind of function." It feels like we are all part of the development of the DataSpider product.

Value that cannot be understood before implementation

Nomura
This development structure is actually undergoing changes. 4.1 also incorporated the opinions of users about what they wanted, but for 4.2 we also took into consideration the opinions of multiple users, development and sales partners, and our system engineers, who often come into contact with customers considering adopting the product.

Hayata-san
Version 4.1 focused on "testing." Test quality depends a lot on "people," and DataSpider stepped in to address that, which not only made development easier but also improved test quality. And version 4.2 focused on "operations." As expected! I thought they really understood how users felt (laughs). Ideally, I think it would be easier to convey the value of a product by highlighting the "number of systems that can be connected." Instead, I thought it was typical of the DataSpider development team to focus on "what's really needed."

Nomura
There are many cloud services and systems that can be linked. That is also important, isn't it? But what about usability? Our number one priority is to ensure that users who have adopted the system don't end up feeling "I'm having trouble" or "I can't get the hang of it."

Nomura
In fact, support rarely escalates to the technical or development departments. Support creates solutions based on the information accumulated at the initial reception stage. Unless the technical level is quite high, the issue will not be escalated.

Hayata-san
They provide accurate answers to my poor explanations and even provide additional information. I'm always impressed by their high level of skill. I think they can probably imagine the difficulty the other person is in. Even though it's an online inquiry, I can feel a sense of human interaction, which is really reassuring when I'm in trouble.

Ito
Saying "Our support is amazing" doesn't convey the message, does it? The users who use our product are convinced and satisfied. The support staff also feel a sense of accomplishment in their work, and we receive feedback such as "The customer made this request" or "It seems like they often get stuck here," which we then use to improve development. I think we've created a virtuous cycle.

Hayata-san
It's great to see the development team, support team, and us users working on DataSpider all working together in a "scrum"!

A salesperson said, "The appeal of DataSpider is its honesty."

Hayata-san
When I was considering introducing DataSpider, I asked the sales person, "What's good about DataSpider?" and he replied, "It's honest." After using it for two years, I think, "I see." I get the sense that their policy is to provide what users really need, without striving for flashiness.

Ito
In fact, even within the company, there are voices saying, "This is rather plain..." However, the voices that prevail are, "It's thoughtful down to the smallest details," "It would be convenient and easy to use," and "It hits the spot."

Nomura
This also applies to our products, but we believe that users will be updating and replacing their systems more frequently in the future. In order to encourage users to "give it a try" and "continue to use it," we believe that we need to strengthen functions that may seem "unexciting" at first glance, such as testing and operation.

Ito
I think it's important to reduce and automate routine tasks, but when it comes to core tasks and operations, people are the key. Instead of thinking about how to automate, we think about how people will use the system. It may seem mundane, but when we have users like Hayata who say "Thank you!", it makes us feel like "I'm glad I did it!" and makes the job worthwhile.

We value people and spread fun to the world!

Hayata-san
When I first met the two of them, I was impressed by their humble attitude, which was completely unarrogant despite the amazing things they were doing.
I was shocked to see everyone on the development team working with such enthusiasm and enjoyment. Since then, I've started to think more deeply about what teamwork is and what it means to work.

Ito
The feeling that "it looks like fun to try" and "it looks lively" is something that we ourselves felt when we visited a development company that was using agile development. We thought "let's give it a try" and started working on it right away. Perhaps our feeling that "it looks like fun" spread to Hayata-san too (laughs).

Hayata-san
It's great to see the "fun" spread beyond the company.

Nomura
We were very inspired by seeing how Hayata-san and Yokogawa Rent-A-Lease began to adopt agile practices and how the workplace changed.
Trends and technology in the IT industry change quickly. In order to keep up, I feel it is necessary to value people, the fundamental aspect of the industry.

Ito
As Frederick Taylor put it, we tend to think of people as replaceable, just like tools and systems. But that doesn't work. It's important to be more considerate of people.

Hayata-san
That's right. It's people who make it, and it's people who use it. I can feel the essence of this through the product DataSpider. I hope that you will continue to provide products that are close to the users.

Ito
Thank you. But we are still far from the ideal. There are software vendors that are much more advanced. There is still a lot that can be done.

Nomura
Our company is conscious of the "HRT Principles." Humility, respect, and trust. Our company policy is "Aim to be the best in the world, not just in Japan." To achieve this, it is important to follow the "HRT Principles" and not be satisfied with the status quo, but to work sincerely.

Ito
Ito: To reach our ideal, we must always strive for "betterness." This is difficult to achieve on our own. We would like to ask for the help of Hayata-san, DataSpider, and everyone involved with our company. We would be happy if you continue to be our partner in "creating DataSpider" together with us. And together with our users, DataSpider aims to be the best in the world!

• The interview was conducted in March 2019. The content of the article and the affiliations of employees are current as of the time of the interview.

List of "DataSpider Servista 4.2" customer interviews

Yokogawa Rental & Lease Co., Ltd. Case Study

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